this species grows on dead culms and leaves of Heracleum mantegazzianum. I think it is something close to Hydropisphaera (Nectria) peziza but I have read on this forum that this might be a species complex so I would be interested to hear your opinion on this find – especially since the substrate seems somewhat unusual for this species. Ascospores measure about 10-11 x 5 µm and are striate. The ascomatal wall shows no reaction to KOH and it is smooth except for a few hyphae-like hairs in the lower part. The culture on MEA was examined after 14 days (room temperature, day/night light). I could not find a description of the anamorphic state of H. peziza but in Rossman et al. (1999, SiM 42) it is said to be an Acremonium sp. and I think that fits quite well.

Best wishes,

Gernot

Photos 1,2: fresh ascomata. 3: dry ascomata. 4–6: ascospores. 7: hairs on the ascomatal wall. Photos are not mine.

Walter Gams, 10-12-2014 12:58

Re : Hydropisphaera (Nectria) peziza?

Lieber Gernot,
Die Anamorphe von H. peziza ist ausführlich beschrieben in meinem Cephalosporium-Buch (Gams 1971, G. Fischer). Deine Abbildungen stimmen dafür.
Herzlichen Gruß  Walter